Going to school in the city has many benefits: a vibrant community just a few steps out the front door, unique work and internship opportunities, and of course, the food. I owe a lot of my high school experience to the amazing food spots I’ve found here in Richmond, where I’ve shared countless unforgettable conversations and bouts of laughter with my friends and family. Seriously, I think good food is the key to starting conversations and leading a happy life, which is why I’m prepared to share with you my favorite bites from around the city and metropolitan area. Now, let's dig in!

Pho So 1

Call me basic, but for the years and years my family has gone here, I’ve almost always gotten the chicken pho. Rest assured that there are plenty of traditional beef (and vegetarian) options, but that beef just doesn’t do it for me. One thing I love about this place is the amount of condiments and garnishes they provide. On the table, there’s hoisin sauce, sriracha, chili oil, salt and pepper. Even better, with each bowl of pho—yes, each—you get bean sprouts, cilantro, jalapenos, basil, and a lime. This allows each person to fully customize their bowl to their liking, and the separate plates make sharing easy if someone doesn’t like a certain topping.

These steaming, fragrant bowls of delicious noodles are my family’s go-to for celebrating special occasions, whether it be a birthday, holiday, or accomplishment. Sometimes, my brother and I will split a banh mi, a toasted baguette sandwich with veggies and meat inside, which makes for a tasty pre-pho treat. Pho puts everyone in a good mood and leaves our stomachs happy and satisfied.

Perly’s

My friends and I checked out Perly’s, a Jewish restaurant with many deli options, to start senior year off strong and try something new. While our group was big, about 14 people, Perly’s staff were so accommodating in seating all of us (we ended up sitting in two different groups across the restaurant). I went for brunch and got the Schnorrer, which came with eggs, sausage, a latke, toast, and juice. I was very pleased when my apple juice came in a nostalgic juice box, and even more pleased by the food. I have never had a latke before, and Perly’s gave a great first impression of them. The latke, a type of savory potato pancake, was served with sour cream and applesauce, which was a delicious combination.

Perly’s is also known for their variety of sandwiches, including Reubens, schnitzels, and hot dogs, all of which come with fries, chips, or coleslaw. They’re only open until the early afternoon, so dinner is not an option here. However, if you’re looking for a retro, deli-style restaurant for breakfast or lunch, Perly’s is a great pick.

Mr. Pepe

I actually found out about this place by accident. My friends and I were planning to go to a Korean spot in the area, but it was closed, so we ended up at Mr. Pepe. Some accidents truly are happy, because now Mr. Pepe is one of my favorite places to go. Since I first went to Mr. Pepe almost a year ago, I’ve gotten the Enchiladas Pepe every single time. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of that tangy verde sauce!

When you’re seated, you’ll get an enormous basket of chips, complemented by salsa and a white sauce, kind of like ranch. A lot of the dishes are customizable, letting you switch between meats, sides, sauces, and portion sizes (for some of the dishes). If you come during lunch, you may have the option of choosing between a lunch or dinner size. For dessert (if you’re not already stuffed), their tres leches tastes like vanilla ice cream if it were a cake. Appetizer, entree, or dessert—Mr. Pepe doesn’t skimp out on any part of the meal.

Halal Munchies

I first found out about Halal Munchies, as if a New York Halal cart were transported right here in Richmond, through Instagram influencers and was quickly influenced. Here, you can find rice and meat platters (or with falafel) that are drenched in sauces—white, hot, or green—of your choice. The platters also come with fries, salad, cabbage slaw, and pickled onions. There are also sandwiches and gyros if that’s more up your alley. I went there during lunch on a Friday, and I could not wait to get back to school to try it. The smell—both inside the restaurant and from the platter—was absolutely tantalizing, which made it so difficult for me to wait to eat!

I thought the portion size was very generous as well. The platter was loaded with food, and I had leftovers for two meals after the first. Just make sure to eat most of the fries when they’re fresh, or else they might get soggy because of how much sauce there is.

YaYa’s Cookbook

Maybe I’m just not the kind of person to try new things, because I only get one thing from YaYa's Cookbook, too. Don’t get me wrong, I still try a taste of my friends’ and family’s dishes, I just can’t commit to trying a completely new one. Or maybe their Drunken Noodle, the perfect blend of a little spice, crunch, and chewiness, is just too good for me to get anything else. My brother also only gets the crab fried rice, so I think YaYa’s is the kind of place where you get something and stick with it. YaYa’s serves all kinds of Asian street food dishes, so you’re sure to find delicious comfort food, one of which may be your next craving.

It’s right by the movie theater, so it’s very fitting in an itinerary for a movie night out. The atmosphere is also gorgeous. There’s no super white lights, there’s fairy lights, and all the lighting is a warm white. Bar seating consists of cocoon swing chairs with cushions, and there’s outdoor seating in the warmer weather. It’s cute, it’s cozy, it has good food. YaYa’s would also make for a great first date!

Les Crepes

With many seats and a pretty, well-lit interior, Les Crepes is a great post-shopping stop in Carytown. You can go the more French route with a classic Nutella crepe, or get something like a burger crepe. Yes, there’s both savory and sweet crepes, and some are breakfast-themed. This makes Les Crepes a great pick for brunch, especially if you’re having trouble picking between sweet or salty for the day. The French Onion soup is also super cheesy and rich, and even though I’m not a fan of onions, I found the soup to be very pleasing.

I recommend my usual: the chicken crepe, with avocado, veggies, and lemongrass sauce, and it’s a good portion size. I can finish my food, and I don’t need a to-go box after eating here. It makes dessert easy and almost a no-brainer, because after the meal, there’s so many dessert options to choose from. However, if you’re like me and want to try a bit of everything, I would suggest ordering a mix of sweet and savory crepes around the table and sharing them as you eat. This way, everyone at the table will have the best of both worlds!